The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.
Heather McKinnis
I actually found my way into the business world pretty unexpectedly. I have a degree in Communications, and before my husband and I started our family, I worked in the medical field, first as an office administrator and later as an admissions recruiter for a doctorate-level program. Read more>>
Carlos Crespo
Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving started in mid-2018 as a small mall kiosk in front of Things Remembered. Back then, we had just a photo mug press and a basic heat press for shirts. It was humble—just a few pieces of equipment, a tiny footprint, and a big dream to bring something unique and personal to shoppers. Read more>>
Ben Daughters
I was born and raised in Chillicothe, OH. I graduated from Chillicothe High School in 2000 and attended college at Ohio University. I majored in business and completed Army ROTC. I graduated in 2004 and was commissioned an Officer in the US Army. Read more>>
Sherrybeth Moore
MY STORY… The question I was always asked was what made you pick the beauty industry, never my story. To answer first one was always easy for me this industry picked me. I always watched my mom take pride in doing her hair and make up and never left the house without it done . Read more>>
Columbus Koto Ensemble
The Columbus Koto Ensemble consists of Jessica Entis, Lori Fannin and Lisa Reaves. In 2014 the Columbus Koto Ensemble was formed to allow us the opportunity to perform and educate the Columbus area about the koto and Japanese music. All three of us had different paths towards learning about the koto and Japanese music. Read more>>
Scott Dispel
The Concept of the band Dispel emerged not as a mere project but as a testament to resilience, storytelling, and the transformative power of music. My journey, deeply rooted in the rich soils of fantasy gaming, mythology, and theatrical extravagance, found its voice in the aftermath of a U.S. tour that revealed the stark musical voids within my local scene. Read more>>
Jennifer Dietrick
I grew up in the small town of Kirtland, Ohio which was a place where travel usually meant piling into the car and driving just far enough to visit family. It was a modest, insular world, and I was often made to feel that what I had should be “good enough.” I wanted something much bigger. Read more>>
Kim Nation
Recently moved to Celina from Texas and was a new mom. After several years of staying home with my children, I was ready to start something small to challenge myself a bit. Read more>>
Eryn Gilson
My story really begins with 614Mom. I started it when my second son was born, mostly as a creative outlet and a way to connect with other moms in Columbus. I have always loved small businesses, the unique finds, the local shops, and the people behind them. Through 614Mom, I got to highlight those businesses, share their events, and tell their stories. Read more>>
Ciara Lewis
Zennox Cleaning is a woman-owned business that began in 2021. I started the company while transitioning out of nursing so I could care for my son during a health challenge. What began as a small cleaning service quickly grew through hard work and client demand. Over time, we expanded from cleaning to offering maintenance services and eventually full renovations. Read more>>
Kylie Mahaffey
I was in 4h and decided to take cake decorating, I went to state my first year and my love for the art just got stronger and stronger. I went to state 5/6 years that I did cake decorating and even won state my senior year. Read more>>
Anna Backer
Cincinnati School of Music (CSM) is a family-owned company, established by my husband and me. I first met Joe at Brevard Music Festival, where we were both studying piano. From the start, we shared a passion for music and helping others that eventually led us to follow our dreams and build a community music school for students of all ages. Read more>>
Klara Zatloukalova
I was born and raised in the Czech Republic and emigrated to the United States in 1998. My own healing journey began through personal trauma, which eventually led me to discover Holotropic Breathwork in 2017—and to meet James Frazier, who became my teacher and mentor. Read more>>
Angi Jones
I’ve always loved to read ever since I was a little girl. I’ve spent a lot of my time reading, and I’ve always loved the library and visiting bookstores, For my 50th birthday this year, I even did a bookstore road trip where I visited bookstores in our area and collected 50 books to read throughout the year. Read more>>
Dr. Kathy Platoni COL (RET), US Army
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Katherine Theresa Platoni, Psy.D., DAAPM, FAIS Clinical Psychologist Colonel, Retired, US Army Dayton SWAT Member, Dayton Fraternal Order of Police Association Member, Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Member, Greene County Hall of Fame Director of Support Services, Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Lodge 117 Editor, Combat Stress Magazine Dr. Read more>>
Jose Carlos Mendez
always say that my journey in the restaurant world began when I was just a kid. My parents owned both a butcher shop and a small taqueria, so from a very young age I was surrounded by food, flavor, and hard work. Read more>>
Madelyn Recker
I started in the esthetics industry around September of 2021. In the beginning, I focused heavily on my skill, education, and the customer experience I could give clients. In November of 2024, I was found myself in a position to open my own esthetics spa. I wanted to create a space that was calming and had good energy the moment you entered the room. Read more>>
Elena Lentz
In 2018 I became a licensed social worker and started off helping families in Cleveland. Since college I had a long term goal of opening up my own private practice. Read more>>
Nathan Siler
Wicksy began in 2021 as a small idea while I was finishing my degree at the University of Cincinnati. I have always been fascinated by the way scent connects to memory and how a single fragrance can instantly take you back to a specific place or moment in time. Read more>>
Timber Colcord
We live in rural southern Ohio and unfortunately did not have a prenatal ultrasound studio within a 60-mile radius of us. I became pregnant in 2022 and opted to have 4D ultrasounds done. The closest studio was over an hour and a half away and we did that drive three times. Read more>>
Maggie Kimble
I receivedmy license to do massage therapy in 2005 and started my business, massages by Maggie LLC. In 2007 I started my Reiki training. Adding this to my tool belt gave me a way to help folks who may not be open to getting a massage. By 2009 I had completed my Reiki,master teacher training and started teaching Reiki classes. Read more>>
Congito Jaffe
my current focus is as a singer/songwriter of folk/Americana and integrating my vocals, guitar styling and very melodic material with the visionary poetry of my wife, the published poet Lady Ives of Rocky River— I’m proud that I am presenting what a recent reviewer of a coffee house concert noted was, “like being immersed in a coffeehouse of rich espresso on a beach in paradise in 1972” that is exactly the vibe that I strive to create in my performances. Read more>>
Brigette Rizzo
The most challenging part has been navigating self doubt. Those feelings of uncertainty and confidence in my ability to meet the expectations of my clients through all the steps in booking, performing, and delivering the packages. The uncomfortable apprehension of not knowing if you’re qualified, or if your work competes with the oversaturated market. Knowing my worth in my art and being able to stand out while wearing all the hates it takes to run a business. Read more>>
